Bayou Lafourche Fecal Coliform Project Presented by Mary Gentry, P.G. January 2015 Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality

The Problem Federal Clean Water Act – all states must identify water bodies not meeting designated water quality standards (Primary Contact Recreation, Secondary Contact Recreation, Drinking Water Supply, Oyster Propagation, Fish & Wildlife Propagation) Must develop Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) – the maximum amount of pollutant that a water body can absorb without exceeding the water quality standard for that pollutant Bayou Lafourche not meeting PCR, SCR and DWS standards for fecal coliform

What is Fecal Coliform? Bacteria found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals (including humans), excreted in feces Used as an indicator organism - generally not harmful but presence suggests pathogenic microorganisms may be present Does not identify sources of fecal contamination – only its presence Potential sources include humans (sewage), wildlife, waterfowl, agriculture (manure), livestock, pet waste

Bayou Lafourche Fecal Coliform Issue Drinking water source for ~300,000 people Donaldsonville to Larose (intakes for 10 PWS) Consistently not meeting PCR (swimming) standard for fecal coliform of 400 colonies/100 ml Spikes in data over SCR (boating/fishing) standard and the drinking water supply standard (both 2000 colonies/100 ml) Total maximum daily pollutant load requires 45% reduction in fecal coliform loading to meet standards Total maximum daily pollutant load requires 45% reduction in fecal coliform loading to meet standards Data from Mississippi River (headwaters) doesn’t show the same fecal coliform levels (i.e. not likely the source)

Fecal Coliform Issue What do the numbers mean? Can indicate of the presence of sewage Health effects – Wide variety of illnesses including diarrhea and infections from pathogens ( bacteria, parasites, and viruses) and from algal blooms – Pharmaceuticals – Mostly short-term with no lasting effects, but can be violent and unpleasant – Some long-term illnesses and deaths (especially children, elderly, and those with weakened immune systems), example: cryptosporidium – diarrhea, immunocompromised

Fecal Coliform Issue What do the numbers mean? (cont.) Potable water supply – Additional treatment required – Disinfection by-products – Increased cost **Note - Water is treated by the public water systems and potable water is tested to assure it is safe for consumption

Fecal Coliform Issue – Human Factors Many areas without community wastewater treatment systems – use onsite wastewater treatment systems Population growth in these areas = greater pollutant loading

Onsite Wastewater Treatment Installation must be permitted by LDHH Must be inspected, maintained and operated properly to be effective Failing systems are major contributors to water pollution, often leading to closure of waterways to recreation High density = greater pollutant loading

Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) Permitted On-Site Sewage Systems

Determine if onsite wastewater systems are a significant contributing source of fecal coliform to the bayou Microbial source tracking - combine fecal coliform sampling with optical brightener (OB) fluorometry to identify “hot spots” OBs are compounds in laundry detergent that emit light when exposed to UV light, “brightening” the appearance of fabric (laundry detergent = human source) Nicholls State University/LDEQ Fecal Coliform Studies

II dentified areas that drain to the bayou within two study areas MM onitored conduits of this drainage in addition to sampling directly in the bayou for fecal coliform and optical brighteners on a rotating schedule HH igh fecal coliform and high optical brighteners = human origin

Phase 1 Fecal Coliform Study Completed in September 2009 Study area = Labadieville to Valentine, LA (below Lockport) 54 sample locations 11 sample sites identified as “hot spots” (red) that contribute sewage to the bayou

Phase 2 Fecal Coliform Study Completed in January 2013 Study area = Donaldsonville/Miss. River to Labadieville, LA 34 sample locations 12 hot spots, two in areas with community wastewater treatment systems Included enhanced microbial tracking

Phase 2 Fecal Coliform Study – Enhanced Microbial Tracking   Human Molecular Markers   Human Polyoma Virus-BK   Archaeon Methanobrevibacter smithii   Human Bacteroides HF-183 Eubacterium Absence of any marker means no human input or source was too diluted for methods to detect Confirmed phase 1 “hot spots” with these markers   Dissolved oxygen, conductivity and pH

Example Hotspot ASSU-1 Culvert at 7436 Hwy 1 in Belle Rose, LA   All 16 samples exceeded drinking water fecal coliform standard of 2,000 colonies/100 ml (5,455 to 950,000 FC/100 ml)   All 16 samples were positive for optical brighteners   10 of 14 samples were positive for at least one human molecular marker   Strong sewage odor and toilet paper observed

Example Hotspot ASSU-1 (continued) Drainage from trailers on Hwy 1 drains through culvert under Hwy 1 to bayou. On-site treatment systems on 5 properties inspected by DHH 3 working order 1 aerator found inoperable – was replaced   1 system needs replacement - eligible for BTENP grant funds Culvert at 7436 Hwy 1 in Belle Rose, LA

Example Hotspot ASSU-7 Culvert at corner of College Point Ln & Hwy 308, Plattenville, LA   All 13 samples exceeded drinking water fecal coliform standard of 2,000 colonies/100 ml (2,216 to 970,000 FC/100 ml)   12 of 13 samples were positive for optical brighteners   6 of 13 samples were positive for at least one human molecular marker   Strong sewage odor

Example Hotspot ASSU-7 (continued) Drainage from trailers on College Point Ln drains through culvert under Hwy 308 to bayou. On-site treatment systems on 18 properties inspected by DHH 1 working order   3 properties vacant   14 systems malfunctioning, 2 with NO system (raw sewage discharge) - additional BTENP grant funds needed! Collection culvert Culvert at corner of College Point Ln & Hwy 308, Plattenville, LA

Actions Taken Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) regulatory inspections – Multimedia inspections of 780 facilities, including wastewater treatment systems (anything other than a home) – Follow up to assure compliance

DEQ Regulatory Inspections

Actions Taken (continued) Barataria Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP) cost share grants to repair/replace malfunctioning systems – coordinated with DHH & DEQ (2 hot spots – Belle Rose and Plattenville). Creation of new community wastewater treatment plants funded through Community Development Block Grants (2 hot spots – Belle Rose and Bertrandville) Cities of Donaldsonville & Napoleonville conducting dye and smoke tests to identify leaks (2 hot spots)

Future Actions/Possible Solutions Projects to repair/replace malfunctioning individual onsite wastewater treatment systems – U.S. EPA Section 319 grant funded projects – Barataria Terrebonne National Estuary Program project Local Ordinances – Inspections/enforcement on a local level (Calcasieu Parish) – Must have personnel available

Future Actions/Possible Solutions (cont.) Community Wastewater Treatment Systems – Connect unsewered communities to existing community systems or create new community systems for these areas Sample Location

Future Actions/Possible Solutions (cont.) Public Education – Proper maintenance of individual onsite wastewater treatment systems Combination of all solutions, depending on location, layout, income level, local buy-in  Need funding sources – Community development block grants – BTNEP grants – U.S. EPA 319 nonpoint source pollution prevention grants  Need local government acceptance

Benefits of Action Cleaner environment benefitting both fish and wildlife, and human health Drinking Water - decreased treatment requirements, associated costs, and disinfection by-products Increase property values and quality of life by removal of sewage from ditches and bayou For homes and businesses that tie on to a community wastewater treatment system: – Property owner no longer responsible for maintenance – Easier target for compliance – Provide disinfection – Remove nutrients from bayou and add to wetlands – Long term solution

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Contact Information Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality Drinking Water Protection Program P. O. Box 4301 Baton Rouge, LA (225) Project Reports available at